3 Wheel Buggies
Three-wheel buggies look elegant and sleek, with excellent maneuverability. A lot of them have an sling made of fabric with a cosy lay flat bed that is perfect for weight distribution and are suitable for babies from the age of.
The wheels are bigger and often include suspension to allow for smooth movement over various terrains. The only drawback to these wheels is that they can be more bulky and heavy to store and transport.
Stability
Three-wheel buggies offer plenty of stability. They don't tip over more easily when going straight. You can also manoeuvre them more quickly. However, if you attempt to turn or stop suddenly, they'll lose stability and can fall over. To avoid this, certain manufacturers add an additional wheel to their three wheel buggy designs to increase the stability of the chassis.
You can also take on off-road terrain with the extra wheel. Be sure to look for models with air-filled tyres (also called pneumatic tyres) as they are able to deal with off-road paths and other surfaces like sand, mud and rock. They'll also usually include an adjustable front wheel that locks to give stability over rough terrain.
With the correct design, engineering and weight distribution these buggies can be turned on a dime - easy to steer with one hand; feature 360o front swivel wheel that allows agility and mobility to be effortless and easy to handle. They also pass the same global stability standards and test as 4-wheel buggies.
If you are looking for a seat made of fabric they are typically less upright in comparison to modular seats. This means that your baby's centre of gravity will be closer to the ground - instantly ensuring an easier ride.
Maxi-Cosi is a household name for its car seat collection, but it recently expanded its product line with the Citylife compact travel system and pushchair. The 3-in-1 model was designed for urban living and is compatible for newborns with a carrycot or infant car seat. It has four wheels and an exclusive pewter-black aluminum frame that the brand calls'slim and compact. It's just 2cm wider than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are a variety of 3 wheel buggies which can be folded down to fit into smaller spaces. A lot of these buggies can be folded with one hand, and are easy to clean. 3 wheeler stroller will have a basic height adjustment for the handlebar, whereas others may have an adjustable suspension and an expandable 50+ UV canopy. Some models could have an enormous basket as well as a brake lever that's quick-release.
The most efficient 3 wheeler for rough terrain
A 3-wheeled buggy is usually better equipped to deal with off-road conditions as compared to a 4-wheeled model however both can get stuck on tight corners. A model with larger rear and front wheels can assist. This will make it easier to push them across rough terrain and can assist you in climbing up and down the steep slopes.
One option is the brand new Roma Atlas, which has been praised for its quick handling, despite its 3-wheel design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it with her infant and 3-year-old son and reported that "it handles really well over bumpy pavements, cobbles, gravel tracks and dirt roads and also on a few hills."
Another great option is the latest all-terrain 3 wheel buggy made by car seat brand Maxi-Cosi named Stella. It's suitable from birth when used in conjunction with the carrycot. It's little bigger than the lightweight 4wheelers (with an impressively slim 54cm wide frame) but it comes with big, air-filled tyres, 3 recline positions, and a swift one-hand fold.
Its primary selling point is its modularity - it's compatible across all the brand's baby strollers and car seats. This means you can build your ideal travel system for day-today or longer walks, using only the chassis as a foundation.
Tyres
The tyres for 3 wheel buggies come in a range of styles and materials, and each has its pros and cons. For instance, air-filled tyres provide a smooth performance and a smooth ride, whereas foam-filled tyres last longer. The type of tyre you select will depend on your lifestyle and the place it is that you live.
If you intend to travel on unpaved roads or rough terrain often, you might be interested in a three-wheeler equipped with more robust tyres. Consider the type of suspension you require. A sturdy suspension is helpful to handle bumps and humps, however it can be heavy and increase the overall weight of your pushchair.
The size of the tyre can be crucial. Understanding the tyre size is important for safety, performance, and durability. The combination of letters and numbers on a tyre's sidewall may be confusing initially, but understanding it will allow you to comprehend the dimensions of the tyre. A tyre that has the size 185/70 R14, for example, means that it is a radial tire that has a size of 185/70 with 14-inch rim diameter.
In addition to being more durable, PU tires are also lighter and more puncture resistant than rubber ones. If you aren't sure if the tires of a pushchair are rubber or PU, simply slide the tires across the surface with a smooth surface. If they slide easily then the tires are made from PU. If they don't, then the tires are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a 3 wheel buggy is an important element to look for as it absorbs the smacks and bumps of rough terrain, making it much more comfortable for your child. Having large wheels, which are filled with air and lockable to provide stability when jogging also important as this will ensure that your buggy is capable of maneuvering off road surfaces easily.
Depending on the style of buggie you're seeking There are options to suit all lifestyles and budgets. For example the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility in a 3-wheel buggies. Their fabrics sling seats are designed with perfect geometry and engineering that fits snugly inside the frame, rather than sitting on top like modular seats. This creates a lower center of gravity, and sits at the ideal height to distribute weight easily to take on bumps.
Another great option is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule that has a sleek design with large highly manoeuvrable front wheel, excellent suspension, and an easy-to-use handbrake with a twist. MFM reviewer Kath put this buggy to the test by taking it for an excursion through the rough terrain and found that it was able to handle the terrain well. She said that it 'flies easily over grass, bumpy pavements, cobbles dirt tracks, and makes a light work of going up and down the kerbs'.
The Roma Atlas is another popular off-road model and, like the Urban Glide 2, comes in a range of colours to suit your style. It also comes with an adjustable handlebar and a spacious basket. You can also pick from a variety of infant car seats that will convert the buggy to pram. This includes the elegantly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) which is a comfortable, flat bed for newborns or babies up to 12 month old.
Safety
Having four wheels makes the pushchair much more stable, less likely to tip, and easier to maneuver. It is also safer for your child as the weight of their body is evenly distributed across the frame.
A four-wheel buggy also tends to have a lower center of gravity and is therefore easier to lift over curbs and up the stairs. The sling seat is affixed inside the frame rather than over it as modular seats. This creates a low seating position and a lighter buggy that is more easily maneuvered.
However, if you'd like to go for a run with your baby then a 4-wheeler may be more suitable as it has suspension that allows the front wheel to move independently of the back one which allows you to navigate bumpy roads and rough terrain be aware that not all 4 wheel buggies are suitable for running (most aren't like the Phil and Teds). The exception is Mountain Buggies which have a specially designed suspension system that has been tested independently on all terrains.